Prior Knowledge - Brainstorm on Index Cards or Apps - Regardless of name and format, what are some steps/stages/processes students will probably need to go through?
As Needed - gathering basic knowledge/trying things out so that they can decide if it interests them or what question/challenge within it might be fruitful
Outside connections - bringing the world in, sharing out to the world
How start the year?
Introduce Thinkering Studio/Genius Hour/Fab Fridays (see above)
Start with a few small projects like LegoSmart, FAILure, Mini Challenges etc. designed to start several important discussions - these might also be occasional mini lessons throughout the year to make certain points
Watching videos and checking out epic and not so epic (but great process) projects
Discussing what physical, computer, software, and web tools are available at school
Coming up with an "experts" chart for when others need help
A weekly or biweekly whole group or online discussion
When have you discovered for yourself or taught yourself something? (Inside or outside of school)
How is learning how to play soccer, play an instrument, learn English, learn a language at school, write a story, etc. similar/different?
What are some general strategies to learn something? Which do you seem to prefer? What are some things that make it harder to learn? How do different technologies help/hinder your learning?
Can anyone else actually teach you anything? "I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think." Socrates
What is failure? How can failure be beneficial? How do you overcome failures?
Are there levels of failure?
What is a smart failure?
If you achieve an "Epic Fail," have you learned more than most people who easily succeed or succeed by following a "recipe"?
What counts as success?
What counts as an "epic" win?
How can success be detrimental?
What counts as creativity? Innovation?
How are incremental, breakout, and disruptive innovation distinct?
How do you know when to stop/give up on a project? What is grit? Perseverance? (see habit 1)
Mini Lessons
Self scoring with Marzano's Effort and Achievement Rubric
Creating and adding to a learning journal
Wiki/Blog/Google Sites skills
Photography skills
Audio recording skills
Video recording skills
Creating and curating a learning portfolio
Leading a student exhibition (this is one example of formal horizontal sharing)
Using the documentation and reflection prompts for journal ideas
Self-Directed Learning Exploration
Slides:
Discussion: